Chennai, February 11 AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Wednesday disputed the ruling DMK's assertion that Tamil Nadu was on a growth trajectory and said he was ready for a public debate on the "growth story" with Chief Minister M K Stalin.
Stalin's only achievement in governance since 2021, Palaniswami said, was to rely heavily on state borrowing, and that much of the investment that has materialized today is due to the commitment made by investors during the previous AIADMK regime.
"Stalin did not face the challenges that the AIADMK government under me encountered due to the devastation caused by cyclones, drought, and the pandemic. Despite the crisis, my government performed well," Palaniswami claimed.
He has been insisting on a public debate with the Chief Minister on the achievements of both regimes for the benefit of the people, but there has been no response from Stalin, he claimed at the India Today Roundtable conference here.
In response to a question on power-sharing, the former CM replied, "Union Home Minister Amit Shah had made it clear that I will lead the NDA in Tamil Nadu and that I am the chief ministerial candidate. The NDA will win (the upcoming Assembly election), and the AIADMK will form the government with a majority, winning 210 seats."
On the Chief Minister's remark that power-sharing in Tamil Nadu will not work, Palaniswami said that the former's stance, along with that of his ally, the Congress, demanding a share in power, only showed the confusion within the DMK camp.
On actor-politician Vijay, he said that Vijay was not a superstar in politics. "The actor has not contested any election. We will know his strength once he contests."
On some of the AIADMK leaders like K A Sengottaiyan joining TVK or others crossing over to the DMK, Palaniswami replied, "everyone is free to join any party in a democracy."
